Books in A True Book: The Seven Continents series

Europe, the second smallest continent on Earth, has 43 countries. Some geographers consider Europe part of a landmass that includes Asia, called Eurasia. Actually, it is a large peninsula, or mass of land that is surrounded on three sides by water. Europe’s climate ranges from frozen tundra to warm Mediterranean. The first great civilization in Europe reached its height in Greece about 2,5 years ago. Since then, empires have risen and fallen in Europe. Today, many different ethnic groups call Europe home.

Asia, the largest continent on Earth, is a land of contrasts. It is creased by several mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, which includes Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. The lowest place can be found in Asia’s Dead Sea. There are 46 countries on the continent, with two—China and India—that are each populated by more than one billion people. It is a continent of political diversity, with countries featuring governments that range from democratic to communist. Most of the world’s major religions have their roots in Asia.